Friday, August 15, 2014

how to have a cheerful heart - ending summer well

August is the Sunday of summer. We want to get our fill of the lazy summer days, but we know we have to start getting ready for back to school and the fall routine.

The lack of routine puts me in a funk. But after a long blogging break and massive amounts of hammock time, it’s time to start easing back in. We are easing back into everything. And it’s good.

It’s good because I’ve had three kids all up in my business all summer; and I’ve had my share of frazzled nerves. It’s never quiet. It’s always loud. And I’m getting crabby.

Welcome to the dog days of August.

The upcoming school year is already leaving me feeling overwhelmed, and today I realized that I missed the youth sports deadline to enroll my kids for fall sports. I feel like I’m that Mom. I’ve been a tough cookie to live with.

I’m wondering how to flip the switch. How can I turn off monster mommy and find my inner peace mommy? She’s been missing for a long time. All my efforts to be at peace, to be nice, and to be kind just fall flat. The problem is that I can’t flip that switch, at least not on my own. I need a divine kick in the pants if I’m going to end August well. Maybe you do too?

If we’re going to end summer right and start September properly we need a shift in perspective. Ending summer with a cheerful heart begins with these words from Paul: “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent children of God.” (Philippians 2:14)

A grumbling mouth is a sign of a discontent heart.

The grumble factor has been at an all time high. And just yesterday, as I stopped Zac in the midst of airing his feelings about a frustration, he reminded me that I've been complaining too. It seems as if the end of summer has gotten to us both. I know I have little to complain about. I have a hard working husband, a beautiful home, a produce garden, and three amazing kids. And I get to, get to, be home to take care of it all. It’s a privilege then. When I look at it with that perspective I can’t help but be cheerful. It also helps to remember who I am working for. “whatever you do, do all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31)

A cheerful heart really is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22), and not just for me. My family reaps the benefits of my cheerful heart.

I love what Charles Spurgeon says. “Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it to you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord’s work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad.”

Let’s be too glad today friends.

Let’s end the summer by being too glad, full of cheer, and without grumbling mouths.